Penn State fires head coach James Franklin, sources say

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Penn State has fired head coach James Franklin, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Less than a year removed from an appearance in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Franklin's program appeared to hit a new low when the Nittany Lions traveled out to Los Angeles two weeks ago only to lose to UCLA, a team that not only was winless, but hadn't previously held a lead all season.

But the woes flew back home with the team to Penn State, and with them came "Fire Franklin!" chants at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. The Nittany Lions dropped their second straight home game, and third overall, when they fell to Northwestern, 22-21, in front of a stunned crowd at Happy Valley. Penn…